DONE DEAL - New Steakhouse Opening in Longtime Vacant Building

From the Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald - With years of restaurant experience, Lake Gaston resident Buddy Myers said he’s close to opening a new establishment in the former Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon location on Premier Boulevard in Roanoke Rapids. Myers told The Daily Herald his upcoming restaurant is Angus Prime Rib Steak House, which he emphasized uses Angus beef because of the meat’s high quality.

“Angus is the best you can get,” he said. “That’s top of the line.”

He said the building is an excellent location, noting the facility hasn’t been used in six years since the prior restaurant closed.

Myers, who previously owned steakhouses in Goldsboro and Williamsburg, Va., said his newest venture is set to start business in about four weeks. The restaurant will feature prime rib, as the name implies, from the Midwest, as well as other steaks, seafood and chicken, he said.

Myers said he has spent his entire life in the meat business. He said he has not only owned other steakhouses, but also was the meat director for 72 supermarkets simultaneously.

“So my strength is meat,” he added.

He recalled Lone Star owned the lease on the building until recently, which was when he made the purchase. The building, Myers added, was only used for about three years, making it still fairly new.

Brand-new stoves, fryers, ovens and flooring are planned in the kitchen. In addition, a cleaning crew has come in, and the tables will be covered in linen, Myers said, noting the napkins will also be linen.The process of making Angus Prime Rib Steak House a reality started about a year ago, according to Cathy Scott, Halifax County Economic Development Commission executive director. She recalled she helped the building’s owner market the property and show it to interested buyers, such as Myers.

“I let him know early on about the NC Building Reuse Program that is available to support renovation/upfit of vacant facilities that will result in new job creation,” she said. “Mr. Myers contacted me about a month ago to let me know that he had reached an agreement with the owner to lease the facility. (Roanoke Rapids) City Manager Joe Scherer and I met with Mr. Myers and, fortunately, the facility is in good shape and basically all that is needed is cleaning and minor upgrades that don’t cost a lot of money.”

The new steakhouse will put a vacant facility back to use, Scott said, adding it will also create new full- and part-time jobs, and additional sales tax revenue.

Myers said the finishing steps in creating his restaurant include ordering additional furniture and final cleaning touchups. He added the sign for Angus Prime Rib Steak House will arrive within two weeks, and he encouraged the community to visit once the restaurant opens.

“Hey, come in and check us out,” Myers said. “You’re going to get the best steaks and prime rib in the Valley — guarantee it.”